1. ANCIENT AMERICAS CIVILIZATIONS
MAYANS AZTECs INCANS

2. POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC STRUCTURE
EMPIRE, EMPEROR
RULERS AND PRIESTS
CITY-STATES—LOCAL RULERS
AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES
CONTROL OF RESOURCES
AGRICULTURE
TRADE, EXCHANGE OF IDEAS
WEALTH

3. Mayan Civilizations

6. Mayan Government City states
Mayans reached their peak from A.D.
The Mayans had built more than 100 city-states. Each with its own king and its own government.
Availability of resources led to trade between villages in the Yucatan peninsula.
Trade led to wealth, sharing of resources and exchange of ideas.

7. Mayan Government City-States
Largest city was Tikal with up to 100,000 people and eight pyramids
City-states had a ceremonial center, tall pyramids, large open plazas, and palaces
The ruler and priests lived in the center. Upper and middle class houses surrounded the center. The peasants lived in huts on the outer edge of the city.
City-state is made up of the ceremonial center and small villages that surround it.

8. AGRICULTURE

10. Mayan Economy Agriculture
They used the slash and burn method. They cut down trees, dried, and then burned them. Ashes fertilized the soil.
They cut out terraces in hilly terrain in order to have a flat planting surface.
Trade with other city-states led to wealth, sharing of resources and exchange of ideas.

13. Aztec Civilization Civilization began on island in Lake Texcoco.
According to legend, they went to a wet, swampy island in Lake Texcoco.
They saw an eagle sitting on a prickly pear cactus with a snake hanging from its beak.
The Aztec believed this was where the sun god told them to settle.
The Aztec called the new city Tenochtitlan.

15. Aztec Government
Empire was ruled by an emperor who was believed to have descended from the gods.
Council of priests, nobles & warriors named the emperor from a ruling family.
City-states were ruled by local leaders
City-States paid tribute to the emperor.
Aztecs conquered neighboring city-states to gain control of resources.

16. Aztec Economy Agriculture (farming), then,
Specialization of labor—artisans, craftsmen
Trade grows
Tributes paid to emperor by conquered peoples.
Wealth of empire grows

17. Incan Civilization
Began in Cuzco, high in the Andes Mountains in South America.
Empire extended along the Pacific coast and Andean highlands.

18. Incan Government Empire led by emperor descended from the gods
Strong central government needed to maintain large empire
Local leaders were appointed by the emperor
Lands were conquered and the empire expanded

19. Incan Economy
Agriculture—people grew and created what they needed—any left over was collected by the government and stored.
Labor tax--Everyone was required to work for the government
No trade– the government collected everything produced except for what families needed.
Command economy—no money, no credit– only small amounts of local bartering.

20. Graphic organizer Mayan Aztec Inca civilization
Political/
Government
Structure
City-states
ruler/king
Ceremonial center
Surrounding villages
Economy/
Economic structure